Prescription savings: simple, practical ways to pay less for meds

Paying too much for prescription drugs is frustrating. You don’t have to accept the sticker shock. Here are straightforward tactics you can use today to lower what you pay for medicines without risking safety or skipping doses.

Pick generics and check alternatives

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic or therapeutic alternative is available. Generics contain the same active ingredient and usually cost a fraction of brand-name drugs. If a generic isn’t an option, there may be another drug in the same class that’s cheaper and just as effective. Bring up cost during your visit — doctors can switch medications or adjust dosing to help save money.

Also consider therapeutic substitutions: if two drugs treat the same condition, the cheaper one might work for you. Pharmacies often have policies to substitute generics automatically, but it’s worth confirming.

Use coupons, discount cards, and compare prices

Free coupon sites and pharmacy discount cards can cut costs a lot. Apps and sites like GoodRx, SingleCare, and similar services show pharmacy prices near you and offer printable coupons. Compare prices across local pharmacies and online retailers — the same prescription can vary widely in cost.

Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s website. Some brands offer coupons, savings cards, or patient assistance programs for people who qualify. These can reduce or even eliminate copays for brand-name drugs.

Tip: Price-check both with and without insurance. For some drugs, the cash price with a coupon is lower than your insurance copay.

Other practical moves that add up:

• Ask for a 90-day supply. Larger fills usually lower the per-pill price and reduce pharmacy fees.
• Use mail-order pharmacies for maintenance meds — they often have better rates for 90-day supplies.
• See if pill-splitting works for your prescription (only for tablets approved to be split). Splitting one higher-dose pill can cut cost, but get doctor approval first.
• Check your insurance formulary. Switching to a drug on a lower tier cuts your out-of-pocket costs.
• Look into state and local programs. Many states and nonprofits offer help for chronic conditions or low-income patients.

Safety note: Buy medicines only from reputable pharmacies. If a deal seems too good to be true from an unknown seller, it might be fake. Verify online pharmacies are licensed and require a prescription when appropriate.

Finally, keep a running list of your medications and prices. Over time you’ll see patterns and know when to ask for a cheaper option. Small changes — choosing a generic, using a coupon, or switching where you fill — can add up to big savings without sacrificing care.